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Best Speakers And Lectures Coming To DC This Fall

August 6, 2012 6:00 AM

One of the reasons why President Obama won the election was because of his hope-inducing speeches. A well written and spoken speech or lecture can turn even the firmest nonbelievers into followers. As they say, the pen is mightier than the sword. Check out what DC has to offer this fall by attending one of these great events.

(photo credit: getinvolved.corcoran.org)

Esa Nickle of Performa
Corcoran Gallery of Art
500 17th St NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 639-1700corcoran.orgDate: August 9Performa is a an organization based in New York that presents an internationally-acclaimed biennial showcase of new visual art. This showcase incorporates culinary art, dance, poetry, fashion and music all into one. Think Artomatic on Red Bull. Esa Nickle, the general manager of Performa, will stop by the Corcoran Gallery of Art to discuss Performa’s past work and which direction the organization is looking to go in the future.

(photo credit: si.edu)

Playing Pong in 2100: How To Preserve Old Video Games
Smithsonian American Art Museum
8th St NW
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 633-1000si.edu

Date: August 18

So this probably won’t be one of those life-changing lectures, but you never know. Preserving Duck Hunt, Pong and Street Fighter might not be a priority to most, but for serious gamers, this is a real issue. There will be two panel discussions during this half-day event, including panelists from the Library of Congress, media specialists, university scholars and game industry leaders. If you are a long-time gamer or have an interest in the preservation of digital media, this is definitely an event for you.

Regardless of your feelings about the person holding the position, being the Security General of the United Nations will more than likely never be an easy job. Kofi Annan knows this all too well, having served two terms in the stressful position and 40 years with the United Nations. He has been no stranger to controversy and criticism, but he also received much praise for initiatives like his founding of the Global AIDS Health Fund. In his new book, “Interventions: A Life in War and Peace,” Annan discusses his experiences during wars, terrorists attacks and several conflicts. Despite the doom and gloom of the past and present, he still sees hope for the future.

Salmon Rushdie spent nearly a decade in hiding after the Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa, sentencing him to holy death in 1989. His novel, “The Satanic Verses,” angered Muslims who saw the novel as disrespectful to their religion. There are very few people who would be willing to come out of hiding after such a dreadful situation, but Rushdie did just that. And he has remained unharmed since his resurfacing. This fall, you can hear him discuss what he went through in the name of freedom of speech.

(photo credit: lisner.org)

Elderidge Prize Lecture with Maurie D. McInnis
Smithsonian American Art Museum
8th St NW
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 633-1000si.eduDate: October 18Being called innovative, Maurie D. McInnis’s book, “Slaves Waiting for Sale: Abolitionist Art and the American Slave Trade,”sheds light on a topic that many would rather not discuss any further. In her book, she charts the history of the slave trade through the artwork of Eyre Crowe, a British artist who witnessed a slave auction in Richmond, Virginia, and developed a series of artwork from what he saw. From his artwork and written records, McInnis captures the effect of abolitionist art and the International movement.